Tom Trbojevic hat-trick inspires NSW Blues to Game 1 50-6 thumping over Maroons

The outside backs of NSW were brilliant tonight. But I think it's that old adage of, the Maroons have got to fix up the middle of the field. Losing Christian Welch didn't help, but the big guys in the middle need to do a better job of limiting NSW's attack but also lay a platform for the Maroons attack.

It's a bit early to tell what changes may be made ahead of Suncorp. But there's not a lot of depth there with Queensland to make a lot of changes. So, it'll be, just getting through tonight and work our way through the next two weeks to see who's available.

I think the general consensus is that we just lost the game in the middle of the field, albeit to the backs of the NSW guys who were the stars.

NSW were outstanding. The way they've finished their sets and controlled the game. The way they finished the game with their energy in defence was fantastic.

Turbo and Latrell Mitchell, for centres, have been outstanding. Centres sometimes don't have as much impact on the game as wingers do but they were absolutely everywhere.

Latrell went on a crucial run in the first half that opened up a try, he scored a couple more in the second.

Turbo was everywhere, bags a hat-trick, unbelievable all night.

For Queensland, they were beaten all over the park. They were beaten in the middle, their bench was totally outplayed. They were outplayed all over the park. It was just effort and energy by the Blues from the very first kick. They were great.

Tom Trbojevic breaks away for a try. That was Cherry-Evans getting in front of Kaufusi and just opening the gaps. That's a system error. But it's also the presence of Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic just influencing the Queensland line. They've been so dangerous with the football, but just by their sheer presence have also been impacting the Maroons' defence.

To'o has been pretty good with getting the quick play the ball too. So I just think speed from NSW is just much quicker than Queensland. That's allowing the outside men to run with space in front of them.

That was unbelievable from the two NSW centres. They've come out from the right side of the field and Turbo was nowhere to be seen, they make a break anyway and out of nowhere Turbo gets the ball and sets up a try for Latrell.

The two centres tonight have been outstanding. It's pretty rare these days to see centres be dominant players. Wingers seem to do so much more than the centres these days but Latrell has had an absolute blinder and so has Turbo. They've been everywhere, they've been the two best players for NSW I think.

I was just saying, next try here is crucial. If Queensland were to score it was right back on. But the Blues have scored first this half and I think we'll run up some points. Fingers crossed we might see a bit of a whitewash.

Kurt Capewell beats Tom Trbojevic one and one and crosses over for the Maroons. That was so vital. It puts a bit of momentum back into the game for Queensland heading into half time, a bit of positivity. And there is a real chance they can get another one before the break, right now.

NSW have clearly been the better team this half, but when Queensland get the footy and Harry Grant comes out of middle, it gets big momentum through two wide passes to Cherry-Evans. That's when they're the most dangerous, that's what they need to do.

Brian To'o scores his second of the night to leave the Maroons stunned early in Townsville.